2012 H.S. football preview: King

Mustangs have a need for speed in 2012

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
King quarterback Bronze Jackson looks for his receiver Saturday during their game against San Antonio East Central at Buc Stadium.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

CORPUS CHRISTI - With 39 departed lettermen and just four starters returning on each side of the ball, conventional wisdom would say King's coming football season is of the rebuilding variety.

Mustangs coach Eddie Hesseltine, however, is a glass-half-full guy. And according to Hesseltine, it may be more than half-full, citing the groundwork laid at the subvarsity level in recent years.

"I don't necessarily think it's a rebuilding year," Hesseltine said. "Every year is a challenge and our challenge this year is some of the guys don't have experience, but I think they're going to get that before district and they're going to be ready.

"We're definitely faster than we were last year overall; we're stronger than we were last year in the weight room, and our skill positions are very solid and deep. And this year we're going to two-platoon and we haven't done that in a while."

King is coming off consecutive playoff appearances, the first for the Mustangs since 2002-03. The Mustangs bowed out in the first round to San Antonio Brandeis both years, but Hesseltine said that postseason taste has helped change the culture around the field house.

"Our kids now expect to be in the playoffs and their goal is to win playoff games," Hesseltine said. "This year, our goal is to go into the second and third round and play at Thanksgiving."

OFFENSE

The Mustangs lost the running-back tandem of Rudy Alonzo and Julian Bost, who combined for more than 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns last year.

Hesseltine acknowledged their voids would be hard to fill but cited quality replacements in the form of holdover Dominique Lane and newcomers Kevin Dawson, Tristan Price and Devonte Price (no relation).

The biggest difference for the Mustangs will be through the air. Quarterback Bronze Jackson attempted just 79 passes last year, but with the addition of rangy receivers J.J. Dallas and Kiki Hill — who arrived from Calallen and Rockport-Fulton, respectively — the passing game will be more of an option.

"We understand we've got to throw the ball more, and we're going to throw more," Hesseltine said. "Bronze was the (district's) newcomer of the year, and I think he's going to be so much better because he already played 11 ballgames as a sophomore at the 5A level."

The biggest challenge may be on the offensive line, where guard Garrett Garcia and tackle Nick Reynolds, a defensive end last year, carry the most experience. Sophomore Phouc Mai is expected to start at center.

DEFENSE

His team's playoff losses to Brandeis caused Hesseltine to change things on defense.

"Without a doubt, we're going with speed," the coach said. "We changed the defense up a little bit, and we're going to go with more multiple fronts. Our defense is going to be based on speed, being aggressive and just getting after it."

That has some players on the move. Dillon McQuary, a linebacker last year, is now a lineman while J.D. Rodriguez shifts from free safety to inside linebacker. Zane Patrick is back on the outside.

Meanwhile, an old face returns as Josh Garza, who started at inside linebacker two years ago before sitting out last season to concentrate on wrestling, is back vying for his old job.

In the secondary, Dallas will also see time at safety, with Andrew Henderson returning at cornerback, where Ryan Torres and Reggie Kelly will also see time.